Compact apparatus for the purification of waste water by a physical chemical treatment

Abstract

A single, integrally formed tank has an upper portion of a rectangular configuration and a lower portion of downwardly decreasing volume and defined by a plurality of exterior walls, at least two of which are inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each other. The interior of the tank is divided into three serially connected compartments by means of interior walls which are inclined in directions substantially parallel to one of the inclined exterior walls. The compartments thus formed are a first, neutralization and coagulation compartment, a second, flocculation compartment, and a third, lamellar decanting and sludge settling compartment. Within the flocculation compartment are arranged a plurality of spaced inclined plates defining upwardly inclined flow passages into which extend deflectors to create eddy currents in the water passing upwardly through the flocculation compartment. Within the decanting compartment are arranged a plurality of inclined hollow tubes which facilitate downward settling of sludge and upward movement of the decanted water.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for the purification of waste water by a physical chemical treatment, said apparatus comprising: a single, integrally formed tank having a lower portion of downwardly descending volume defined by a plurality of exterior walls, at least two opposite of said exterior walls being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward each other;   the interior of said tank being divided into first, second and third serially connected compartments, said first and second compartments being in communication at the bottoms thereof, and means for communicating the top of said second compartment with the bottom of said third compartment;   means for introducing waste water to be treated into the top of said first compartment, such that said waste water flows downwardly through said first compartment, then from the bottom of said first compartment into the bottom of said second compartment and upwardly through said second compartment, and then from the top of said second compartment through said communicating means into the bottom of said third compartment and upwardly through said third compartment;   a plurality of inclined plates positioned within said second compartment to define therein a plurality of upwardly inclined flow passages having bottom inlet ends in communication with the bottom of said first compartment, whereby said waste water flows through said upwardly inclined flow passages;   a plurality of deflectors extending into each of said upwardly inclined flow passages for creating turbulence in the flow of said waste water passing therethrough;   a plurality of inclined hollow tubes positioned within said third compartment and having bottom inlet ends in fluid communication with the top of said second compartment through said communicating means; and   means for collecting purified water from the top of said third compartment, and outlet means in communication with said collecting means.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first compartment comprises a coagulation compartment, said second compartment comprises a flocculation compartment, and said third compartment comprises a water lamellar decanting and sludge settling compartment, and further comprising means for causing coagulation of said waste water within said first compartment, means for adding a flocculation reagent to said waste water so that floc is formed in said second compartment, said inclined hollow tubes comprising lamellar means for decanting water rising through said third compartment and for concentrating sludge settling downwardly through said third compartment. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tank has an upper portion of substantially rectangular configuration formed by a first pair of spaced parallel walls and a second pair of spaced parallel walls, said second walls being perpendicular to and joined with said first walls. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lower portion of said tank is formed by said first pair of spaced parallel walls and by a third pair of spaced walls extending downwardly from said second walls in an inwardly inclined manner. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inclined plates and inclined hollow tubes extend in directions substantially parallel with one of said inclined exterior walls. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first sludge pit beneath and communicating with said first and second compartments, and means for removing substantially by gravity particles and heavy substances accumulating in said first sludge pit. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a second sludge pit beneath and communicating with said third compartment, said second sludge pit being separate from said first sludge pit, and means for removing substantially by gravity sludge accumulating in said second sludge pit. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second sludge pit is formed by four downwardly and inwardly inclined walls and has the configuration of an inverted pyramid. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inclined plates and said inclined hollow tubes are inclined to the horizontal at an angle of approximately 55 to 60°. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inclined plates and inclined hollow tubes are mounted for removal in an upward direction through the top of said tank. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tank is formed of a metal material, and said inclined plates and inclined hollow tubes are formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inclined hollow tubes have a rectangular configuration. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first interior wall separating said first and second compartments, said first interior wall having a portion inclined in a direction substantially parallel with one of said inclined exterior walls. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a flocculation reagent distributor positioned beneath the lower edge of said first interior wall and extending across the entire interior width of said tank. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising second and third interior walls separating said second and third compartments, said second and third interior walls each having portions inclined in directions substantially parallel with one of said inclined exterior walls, said second and third interior walls being spaced and defining therebetween an inclined duct extending from the top of said second compartment to the bottom of said third compartment, said inclined duct comprising said communicating means. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said third interior wall has a lower edge portion which is bent inwardly toward said third compartment and which extends in a direction substantially parallel with a second of said inclined exterior walls. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said collecting means comprises at least one perforated decanted water collector extending across said third compartment at a position above said inclined hollow tubes, said collecting means being mounted to said tank by a quick-coupling connection.